Universal support for curtains and the like



Feb. .1 1, 1947. R. MURN UNIVERSAL'SUPPORT FOR CURTAINS AND THE LIKE Filed March 19, 1945 8 m w W\ 5 n B 6 4 1 n m m, 6 6, .m/ a a a R INVENTOR. RUDOLPH MURN ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 11, 1947 UHTED STATES UNIVERSAL SUPPORT FOR CURTAINS AND THE LIKE 4 Claims.

Customarily, curtain rods are supported by brackets which are fastened to the woodwork of window framing by screws or short nails. If the mounting has to be changed on account of wider or narrower curtains for instance, the brackets have to be removed and be replaced. This defaces the woodwork. It is also time-consuming. In the present invention, however, a construction is had which is quickly and easily attached and detached, and without damage to the woodwork. Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view showing an embodiment of the invention as mounted on the upper part of a window frame;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation on large scale showing a detail of the clamping means, as in open position;

Fig. 3 is a similar view with the clamping means closed in final position;

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken on planes indicated substantially by lines IVIV and V-V respectively, Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View taken on the plane indicated substantially by line VI-VI, Fig. 3; and

Fig. '7 is an analogous view showing a slight modification.

The rod R for carrying curtains, drapes and the like, is supported by two clamping means C, Fig. 1, as clamped in place on convenient portions of the woodwork or trim of window framing and the like. Conveniently, the rod R may be of telescoping extension form, and having its iii-bent ends 2, Fig. 6, siidably engageable on brackets 3 which may be of generally known or desir d form. The bracket 3 is secured to a clamping plate a :by suitable means. The clamping pl also carries a clamping jaw 5, prefer- ..stable along the plate, for example by a slot 6 in the plate. and a screw l therethrough into the clamping jaw or a spacer memher 3 secured thereto. The head 9 of the screw i is tightened down so as to hold the jaw 5 at the position desired on the plate 4. Adjustably slidi 2 able on the end of the plate beyond the jaw 5 is a clamping hook member 18. One convenient way of slidably mounting this member is by inbending its edges H such as to engage around the edges of the plate 4 and be slidable therealong. The free end of the member It has downturned slight projections l2 capable of firmly holding when in clamped position.

For the manipulation of the clamp, that is, expanding or drawing together the clamping member I ii and the clamping jaw 5, a toggle lever I3 is pivoted at it to the plate t, and a link I5 is pivoted at It to the lever and at Ill to the clamping member It]. As the pivot point lfi is beyond the lever pivot Hi when in closed position, a toggle locking means is had, and when the end of the lever i3 is swung around into the closedposition shown in Fig. 3, it rides over and snaps into locked position beyond the head 9 of the screw 1. A thumb or push lug it facilitates the manipulation of the lever l3.

To set up the equipment, the clamping means C, with its jaws separated by the lever l3 being swung into open position as in Fig. 2, is placed. at the location desired on the window trim or the like, and the lever I3 is swung around into looking position, as in Fig. 3, by its push lug l8. The other clamping means C is similarly positioned and locked for the other end of the curtain rod, and the latter, extended to corresponding length, is slipped into position with its inturned ends 2 over the brackets 3. Conversely, if desired, the rod R may be assembled with the brackets 3, and the clamping means C at each end may then be set onto the framing or trim and the toggle levers It may be swung down into closed or clamping position.

By reason of the form of the clamping means, including the hook clampin member It and the clamping jaw 5, and additionally an in-turned lower end 20 of the plate 4, trims and contours of widely varying shape may be engaged between the jaws l2 and the jaws 5 or the jaws 2!] engaging under the lower edge of the framing member if in such large form. By slightly modifying the shape of the hook clamping member iii, such as to the rounded or curved form it, Fig. 7, accurate clampin over moldings, as well as very irregular forms of trims and framing, may be attained. The clamping mechanism otherwise, including the clamping jaw, plate, lever, -etc., and the curtain bracket, is the same as aforedescribed.

The particularl easy and quick removal and replacing of the clamping or support means greatly facilitates cleaning of woodwork, framing, etc., and the bodily removal or relocating of curtains, draperies and the like. And withal, the device is of simple construction and low cost in production.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the detail described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In means for supporting, curtains and the like, a clamp plate, a relatively movable clamping jaw adjustably secured on said plate by a slot in the plate and a screw extending through the slot to the jaw, a hook clamping member slidable on said plate by in-turned margins engaging over the plate edges, a toggle lever pivoted to said plate, a link connected to the hook clamping memher and to a point on said lever beyond its pivot point, and a push lug on the free end of the toggle lever, the lever being aligned to look over the head of the aforesaid screw.

2. In means for supporting curtains and the like, a bracket adapted to be secured to the framing of a wall opening, means for clamping the bracket to a narrow portion of trim protruding on the upper zone of the face of said framing and also gripping under the lower edge of the framing, including a clamp plate, a relatively movable clamping jaw adjustably secured on said plate by a slot in the plate and a screw extending through the slot to the jaw, a hook clamping member slidable on said plate, a toggle lever pivoted to said plate, and a link connected to the hook clamping member and to a point on said lever beyond its pivot point.

3. In means for supporting curtains and the like, a clamp plate, cooperating clamping members on said clamp plate with a toggle connection and including three jaws, one engaging above said framing, one engaging below the framing, and one slidable on the face of the framing to engage under a narrow portion of trim protruding on the upper zone of the framing, said toggle connection extending between said plate and the jaw engaging above said framing.

4. In means for supporting curtains and the like on window framing and such like, a curtain rod carrying-plate, cooperating clamping members, one of said clamping members comprising an upwardly directed jaw adjustably secured to said plate and adapted to cooperate with the other of said clamping members for clamping to a narrow portion of trim protruding on the face of the framing therebetween.

RUDOLPH MURN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Gannon Apr. 20, 1926 

